Should technology take the place of umpires in baseball?

By: Meredith Farrell

Introduction
Sports Communications Major Grew-up watching baseball

Working Knowledge: -Controversy -Possible Integration of technology

Percent of People who have disagreed with an officials call

3%
Yes No

97%

Baseballs Legacy
A sport multiple generations share Remains the Same

It is entrenched in its history and trying to move it forward into a new century is like pushing a rope.

-Jeff Summers in his article Technology and MLB

Would you approve of technology being used to call balls and strikes? 16%

Yes No

84%

Argument for Baseballs Tradition:

Baseball is unique Wide range of fans

Baseball Stays the Same

Arguments Against the Same Old Same

Technology could improve baseball Currently no room for Growth

Instant Replay is Introduced

Currently used for Determining Home Runs/Fair

Foul Possible Uses: Any call throughout the game including any out call: -made in the field -ball or strike calls -pitcher form (balk)

Robotic Umpire
MLBGameDay (with K-Zone)

(can track velocity, release point, and break)

-Shown to viewers at home

-K-Zone goggles for Home Plate Umpires?

Touch Base Technology

Sensitive to the touch technology

-used as a replay method

Should Technology take the place of umpires?

15%
Yes No

85%

 Tradition has always ruled Baseball Oldest Professional Sports League Shared through generations

The Romance of Baseball

A love and appreciation of the history

Accuracy is Everything
Sports and Technology must merge Keep up with the competition Accuracy is better than controversy Why wouldnt we want the right call made?

Conclusion
Battle Between history and the future.

My Opinion based on research: Technology should not take the place of umpires in baseball.

Work Cited
Murray, Peter. "Is It Time For Professional Baseball

To Adopt Robot Umpires? | Singularity Hub." Singularity Hub. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. http://singularityhub.com/2011/10/20/is-it-time-forprofessional-baseball-to-adopt-robot-umpires/
Summers, Jeff. "Arizona Diamondbacks." Bleacher

Report. Web. 20 Nov. 2013. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/356033-technologyand-major-league-baseball

Work Cited Cont.

DiGiovanna, Mike. "Baseball Playoffs; CLEVELAND

VS. NEW YORK REPORT / Notes; Technology Making Umpires Camera-Shy." Los Angeles Times: 4. Oct 11 1998.
Sandomir, Richard. "Bloomberg Technology

Embraces Baseball." New York TimesDec 06 2009.

Marc Katz Dayton, Daily N. "EMBRACE

TECHNOLOGY, BASEBALL." Dayton Daily News: 0. Oct 22 1999.

Shelbe, Nicholas. "Technology Numbers Baseball

Umpires' Days?" InTech 49.10 (n.d.): 14. Web.